Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone was able to either spend some quality time or show some love to the mothers in your life. My sister and I took our mom to get a pedicure this morning after enjoying brunch. Now she is all set for her much deserved upcoming trip to Italy.

Al Fresco

I love spending time outdoors - which isn't possible for too many months of the year in Chicago. I love this photo that I came across recently of the amazingly beautiful outdoor patio. The warm yet calming color palette goes perfectly with the rattan and wooden furniture. The tree in the center of the 'space' sets the tone along with the many lush green plants thoughtfully placed around.

I love my loft apartment, but the one thing I desperately wish I had is easy access to the outdoors. These French doors leading out to this setting is what I dream of. I can just see sitting out here enjoying a refreshing glass of white wine. Ah...maybe in my next place.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Braids in my hair:

My new skirt that I bought yesterday:

Getting sucked into a good book:

Solving Problems:

And Maya:

Floral Picks

{via Coco & Kelly}

I love picking a flower or two here and there from along the road. Just yesterday I came home with a single stem of lush and fragrant lilac(!) to put it in my bathroom. I adore not only the sherbet color palate of this above image but the fact that it shows you can use just about anything for a vase (from a wine bottle to a beer stein to a shot glass). Raise your glass to many bloom filled days this summer!

Black and White

I have been really attracted to rooms and house exteriors that are primarily black and white lately. I love a simple white house with all black trim - then bold pops of fresh flowers for the perfect finishing touch!


In this picture, the clean white walls are accented with rich black painted ceiling beams, fireplace, and accessories. Every room should have something black in it. The slight touches of color in the candlesticks and throw blanket are gorgeous.

Puerto Rico

{via You Are My Fave}

Some good friends of mine recently moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and I miss them and their beyond adorable twin boys. I recently came across this gorgeous and subdued photograph and thought of them. I must plan a visit at some point.

Tray Collection

Being partially of Norwegian decent, I tend to gravitate towards items with a Scandinavian vibe. I just came across this collection of trays, and fell in love. These would look so great hung on the wall in a set in a mostly neutral room. The perfect focal point!

{via fingerspitzengefühl}

Saturday in the Park

{via You Are My Fave}

I finally have a day off, and I can't wait to get stuff done that has been put on the back-burner. I have made a list that I need to check off - then - off to sit outside to enjoy a wine spritzer!

Update: I took my dog to the dog beach, and there were hundreds of kites (of all shapes and sizes) in the adjacent park! The picture I chose ended up being perfect for today.

Friday!

Hope you all have a wonderful and fun filled spring weekend!

Marzipan

I have always love cutie fruit hand shaped from marzipan (the dense and sweet almond paste). This particular picture of softly toned cherries finished with the metallic gold leaf is so stunning. I would love to have these at any party!

ISCOV

I just bought a new bag to use onsite when I am doing production work. Someone I work with has an ISCOV bag, and I fell in love with it. It is a Chinese company that makes beautiful, quality bags. The handles are soft leather, and the insides are mesh - the perfect combination of style mixed with utility. Mine came in the mail today, and I love it!

This Week

{via Lovely Clusters}

I took a lovely little two day trip to New York this week. I decided last minute to hop on a plane and hang out with my friend Alex. She lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn - somewhere I had never been. Well, let me tell you - I have fallen in love with New York - what a wonderfully diverse, fashionable, and action-packed city!

Gorge

How amazing is this light filled space? The crisp white accented with bold pops of yellow is so fresh. This room is livable while still be glamorous (with the chandeliers, classic furniture pieces, ornate moldings, and chaise lounge). I love the soft gray of the walls, the muted tone of the floor, and the tonal artwork.

Sunshine

It is a gorgeous day today, and I enjoyed sitting outside drinking hard cider. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow, so I plan to stay in and take it easy tonight. I need to relax and put my feet up!

Living Rooms

The two living rooms below are two of my favorite I have seen. I mean really...how great are these spaces?!? Such beautiful mixes of old world rustic, clean and contemporary, and glitzy glamor.


That disco ball sitting in the fireplace is just two much (and I mean that in a good way). I love the white-washed floors, the traditional lines of the chair, the perfectly arranged books, and the simply hung artwork.


This one is obviously much more grand, but I love the chandelier hanging over the comfortable yet stylish room. The accessories are all more interesting than the last, and the simple color palette ties it all together.

Sunday Afternoon

{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

I worked many hours this weekend, so I am having a lazy afternoon today. I just got back from the local dog park where Maya had a blast playing and wrestling with some new friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Have a Lovely Weekend

{via Lovely Clusters}

Spring Style

I love this look from J Crew's Spring Style slide show. Just as they describe it, I adore the 'masculine-feminine mix' that is 'eternally chic'. The black crop pants look great with the tucked-in gray t-shirt, layered necklaces, and boyfriend cardigan.

Dreary Day

{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

Chicago is very gray today. It has been raining on and off. Everything is wet, the sky is dull. The good news - lots of freshly grown greenness will follow! Something to look forward to...

Paul Costello

When I first saw this picture, it stopped me in my tracks. It is somehow incredibly inspiring to me. I love the soft lighting, the wall of feminine themed paintings, the bowl of flowers, and of course that adorable girl. I found out it was taken by photographer Paul Costello. He has taken gobs of gorgeous photos that I am sure I will feature more of.

Happy Monday

{via Cycle Chic}

What a beautiful day it was today! Great way to start the week. The sun shining makes me feel energetic and productive today. I ran errands, made phone calls, did laundry...now off to a long overdue dinner with my dad.

The Apricot Chronicles

I am thrilled, excited, ecstatic to announce my new website:
I Appreciate That was originally intended to be a design focused blog/website. Lately it has been swaying more and more towards food related posts. So in an effort to be organized and orderly and focused - I have created a new blog that will center strictly around food. I love food so much - and this is a great way to continue having a creative outlet solely surrounding this subject. I will have a continuous feed on this site showing what is being posted there, but please check it out!

Black is Back

Not that black was ever out...Ahhhhhh. I love this photo. This is who I want to be. I (of course) for the life of me not figure out where I found it or what designer it is. Either way - the simplicity of the the all monochromatic color palette, the slicked back hair, the skinny pants, and the pointed patten ballet flats all equal perfection. It is so feminine - I am always striving for that balance between not too sexy and not too frumpy. This is exactly it. Love.

Craving Nature

{via Lovely Clusters}

Maybe it is the impending warm weather, maybe it is my lack of vacations - whatever it is - I have been truly craving a natural setting lately. I want to walk on a beach, or climb a mountain (haha), or run through a field. Can you tell I am not really a nature person. All that I desire is what is in my head. That is why this feeling is so unique for me. I just want to go have a picnic by a lake - or something. I need to figure out how I can make this happen...

Real Wedding: Bonnie and Michael

PART ONE: Rehearsal Dinner

I worked on the design of this super cutie rehearsal dinner with Jesse Deckard of Botaicals, a branch of HM Designs last year. The entire weekend was planned at their estate in rural Wisconsin. Their classic red barn was used as the setting for this rustic chic evening - complete with hay bails, quilts, fresh yellow sunflowers, galvinized metal, gingham plaid, strung Italian lights, and custom barnwood bars. So so cute!







Event Planner - Lori Stephenson of Lola Event Productions